Persea schiedeana

Persea schiedeana, the coyo, is an endangered, evergreen tree in the laurel family (Lauraceae), native to tropical forests of southern Mexico and Central America. Its edible fruit resembles that of the avocado (Persea americana), a related tree in the genus Persea. Other common names include aguacate de montaña, aguacatón, chinini, chupte and yas. Coyo is native to southern Mexico and parts of Central America. It occurs at altitudes up to 2800 meters in lowlands and montane tropical forests. It is cultivated for fruit and used as graft stock for common avocado. The tree grows to about 20 m high, occasionally reaching 50 m. Young branches are very hairy. The leaves are deciduous and the flowers are light greenish-yellow, with the stamens turning red with age. The fruit, closely resembling that of the avocado, is generally pear-shaped, with a thick, green, leathery skin. The flesh is oily with a milky juice and tastes like an avocado or coconut. The pear-shaped fruit is easily mistaken for an avocado. However, it contains a much larger central seed. The flesh has stone cells and a gritty texture that is generally considered unfavourable for edible consumption, despite its appealing taste. The cotyledons, unlike those of the avocado, are pink internally. The seeds of the tree are dispersed by wild animals that eat the fruit, including tepezcuintle (Cuniculus paca), tejón coati (Nasua narica) and agoutis (Dasyprocta sp.). This species is considered to be endangered due to loss of habitat as forests are cleared for agriculture.

Description

A tree. It grows 15-20 m tall. The young branches have dense brown hairs. It loses its leaves during the year. The leaves are oval and heart shaped at the base. They are 13-30 cm long by 7-15 cm wide. They have white hairs underneath. The flowers are downy. They are in groups. The flowers are light green to yellow. The fruit are like an avocado. They can be 200-400 g. The best fruit can be quite large and have a brownish pulp free from fibres. The skin is leathery and flexible. It has a large seed.

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw. A rich, nutty flavour, though the pulp can be fibrous. The fruit varies greatly in quality, that of most wild trees being unpleasantly fibrous and having scant flesh. However, the flavour is so good that the fruit is much appreciated. Some trees have large fruits in which the fibre is not conspicuous. A good source of oil and minerals. The pear-shaped fruit is 5 - 10cm in diameter, weighing 150 - 900g.

Traditional Uses

The fruit are eaten in salads.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows in the tropical highlands with cool climates. In Central America it grows between 1,400-1,900 m altitude. Good soil drainage is essential.

Where It Grows

Belize, Central America*, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico*, Nicaragua, North America, Panama, South America,

Cultivation

Trees are often grown from seed. The seed need to be planted while fresh. They can also be grafted.

Propagation

Seed - Grafting.

Production

Fruit weigh 150-900 g.

Other Information

It is a cultivated fruit tree.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Aguacate asca, Aguacate sucte, Aguacatillo, Cayo, Cojou, Chucte, Chinin, Chinine, Chinini, Chuti, Aguacaton, Coyo avocado, Cupte', Duga, Ihpaw, Koyow, Pagua Shucte, Yas, Ziw, Ziwtez

References (21)

• Chizmar Fernandez, C., et al, 2009, Plantas comestibles de Centroamerica. Instituto de Biodiversidad, Costa Rica. p 218
• D'Ambrosio, U., & Puri, R. K., 2016, Foodways in transition: food plants, diet and local perceptions of change in a Costa Rican Ngäbe community. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine (2016) 12:3 p 26
• Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 139
• FAO, 1993, Valor Nutritivo Y Usis en Alimantacion humana de Algunis Cultivos Autoctonos Subexplotados de Mesoamerica. FAO, Santiago, Chile. p 19
• Gonzalez-Espinosa, M. et al, 2011, The Red List of Mexican Cloud Forest Trees. Flora and Fauna International, Cambridge. p 46

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